MiraCosta College and Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD) have been jointly recognized by the State of California with the 2025–26 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award, honoring their innovative partnership that expands college access and academic opportunity for high school students.

The award recognizes the collaboration between MiraCosta College and Oceanside High School, highlighting a dual enrollment program that enables students to complete college-level coursework while still in high school. The program helps students accelerate their educational pathways, earn college credit, and gain early exposure to higher education.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our educators and the determination of our students,” said Dr. Julie Vitale, superintendent of Oceanside Unified School District. “Dual enrollment opens doors for our students and shows them that college is not a distant dream—it is something they can achieve right now. Through our partnership with MiraCosta College, Oceanside High School students are gaining confidence, earning college credit, and discovering pathways to careers and higher education while still in high school.”

Vitale added that the district’s collaboration with MiraCosta helps remove barriers and expand opportunities for students across the community. “When our institutions work together, we create powerful learning experiences that prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.”

“This award highlights what is possible when TK–12 schools and community colleges work hand in hand to support students,” said Dr. Sunny Cooke, superintendent/president of MiraCosta College. “Our partnership with Oceanside Unified School District ensures that students can begin their college journey early, explore academic interests, and build momentum toward degrees and careers.”

Cooke emphasized that dual enrollment programs help students see themselves as college students earlier in their academic journey. “When students realize they can complete college-level courses while still in high school, it transforms how they see their future. Programs like this expand opportunity, strengthen our regional workforce, and empower the next generation of leaders.”

For many students, dual enrollment provides a powerful first step into higher education. One Oceanside High School student shared that taking a college course through MiraCosta helped them realize they could succeed at the college level. The experience not only allowed them to earn college credit early but also gave them confidence about pursuing a degree after high school.

For many students, the impact of dual enrollment is transformative. Alexa Betancourt, a student who began taking classes through MiraCosta College’s Dual Enrollment Program while attending Oceanside High School, discovered both her academic path and her calling through the experience.

When Betancourt’s high school counselor first introduced her to the program, she was unsure about her future career. Like many students navigating the uncertainty of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was exploring different possibilities and wanted to avoid committing to a path that might not be the right one.

“I had wavering ideas, and I didn’t want to pick the wrong thing—go into debt and get a degree I’d never use,” Alexa said. “That’s why the Dual Enrollment Program was such an appealing opportunity.”

She began with a single college course to test the waters. While adjusting to a college learning platform and expectations initially felt daunting, the support she received from MiraCosta faculty and counselors made the transition smooth.

“My instructors and counselors went the extra mile and made themselves available whenever I needed extra support,” Alexa said.

A defining moment came when Alexa secured an internship with the City of Oceanside Housing Department through a MiraCosta College course. During a visit to a local after-school program, she saw firsthand how mentorship and education could change a child’s life.

That moment led Alexa to shift her academic focus to child development, aligning her coursework with her goal of becoming a mentor and educator for future generations.

The Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award is determined by a statewide committee comprised of representatives from the California Coalition of Early and Middle College, the Career Ladders Project, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the California Department of Education, and dual enrollment practitioners from secondary and postsecondary institutions.